SAN FRANCISCO -- The San Francisco Giants have signed 16-year-old right-handed pitcher Luis Angel Mateo out of Nizao, Bani, Dominican Republic, the club announced today.

The 6-3, 175-pound hurler came to terms with the Giants earlier today on the first day he became eligible to sign with a Major League club. Mateo, who was born March 17, 1992, has been scouted by San Francisco's staff over the last eight months.

"The Giants are very pleased to be able to sign Luis Mateo," said John Barr, the special assistant to the general manager. "He is a young, strong pitcher who shows good command of two pitches with a plus breaking ball. Today is the beginning of the signing season and we will continue to be aggressive in signing players both domestically and internationally."